Our Story

RCEA was created to serve as a local leader in the effort to advance secure, sustainable, and affordable energy resources in Humboldt County. Founded as a Joint Powers Authority (JPA) in 2003, RCEA’s mission is to lead, coordinate, and integrate regional efforts to create a cleaner, greener energy future for our community. In 2017, we became a Community Choice Energy (CCE) provider, taking on the responsibility of purchasing and delivering cleaner, renewable electricity for our customers, directly empowering local control over energy choices.

RCEA’s work goes beyond just providing electricity. We are focused on developing a long-term sustainable energy strategy, ensuring our region has access to energy conservation, energy efficiency, and renewable energy programs. Our goal is to enhance the affordability and reliability of energy in Humboldt County while supporting local businesses and residents with innovative solutions.

RCEA staff and partners cut a ceremonial ribbon at the Redwood Coast Airport Microgrid project.

Learn About How RCEA Works

What We Do

We’re not a traditional utility like PG&E. Instead of just delivering power, RCEA purchases cleaner, greener electricity from renewable sources on your behalf, ensuring that decisions about your energy are made locally right here in Humboldt County.

Members include the Blue Lake Rancheria; the Yurok Tribe; the County of Humboldt; the Cities of Arcata, Blue Lake, Eureka, Ferndale, Fortuna, Rio Dell, and Trinidad; and the Humboldt Bay Municipal Water District.

Learn About our Governance

About Community Choice

Through our Community Choice Energy program, we purchase clean power for our customers. Customers are automatically enrolled, with the option to opt-out at any time. RCEA’s rates are slightly less expensive than PG&E’s, and the energy we provide is mostly from renewable sources. By being part of our program, you’re directly supporting local decision-making and a clean energy future for Humboldt County.

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Customer Programs

We offer a variety of programs designed to help our customers save energy and money. These include free energy assessments, rebates for energy-efficient appliances, and incentives for electric vehicles and e-bikes.

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Our Impact

Revenues generated through the CCE program are invested back into the Humboldt County community through customer programs, education, and the development of local renewable energy projects

Through regional collaborations, RCEA supports the research, development, and demonstration of sustainable energy technologies, helping local companies and organizations lead in energy innovation. We are proud to support local renewable energy projects, such as the microgrid at the California Redwood Coast – Humboldt County Airport, and work to ensure a more resilient and sustainable future for our county

Learn about our energy sources

Contact Us

Have questions about our work or how you can get involved? We’d love to hear from you.

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